Past the year-long promotion and development of this much-awaited matchup, the People's Champ and the Leader of the Cenation battle it out (as The Rock fondly puts it, "Fiiinally!") in Miami, Florida.
It had been a long wait. It had been exciting enough to watch The Rock making his electrifying comeback to WWE in the early 2011, (much to the surprise of his millions and millions of fans, especially since he seemed to have made it apparent for a while that he had no intention of returning, not after he had made all those movies). And while this unexpected revival of Rockymania was just getting everyone at the edge of their seats in anticipation of his next move, he turns on the unsuspecting Cena, dissing the Cenation and bringing up some unfinished business with the King of Thuganomics, who of course, lashes out Cena-rap style, complete with purple pinwheels, fruity pebbles, and his chain gang style of subtle mockery in humorous rhythmic gimmicks.
It had been a long wait. It had been exciting enough to watch The Rock making his electrifying comeback to WWE in the early 2011, (much to the surprise of his millions and millions of fans, especially since he seemed to have made it apparent for a while that he had no intention of returning, not after he had made all those movies). And while this unexpected revival of Rockymania was just getting everyone at the edge of their seats in anticipation of his next move, he turns on the unsuspecting Cena, dissing the Cenation and bringing up some unfinished business with the King of Thuganomics, who of course, lashes out Cena-rap style, complete with purple pinwheels, fruity pebbles, and his chain gang style of subtle mockery in humorous rhythmic gimmicks.
And so the match we had all been waiting for finally went down in Sun Life Stadium as the main event of the night. I watched it with my brothers at home through cable TV, one day after the actual show. Wishing to preserve the element of suspense, I even kept myself from checking the net for the results. I thought that as a fan, I just had to watch and enjoy it cluelessly like everyone else in the stadium.
So now, after that, I ask myself: Was it worth the wait?
The Entrance
I am aware that, having watched previous pay-per-view offers of the WWE, that main event entrances are expectedly grander than the usual. But the sing-and-dance numbers just proved to be too lame for a heated battle between two characters who are being built up as big rivals who really, really hate each other (at least that's how the storyline goes). Although the numbers made use of the event's theme songs, I don't think it was fitting for the matchup. The main event entrances had an effect much like shiny hang-up decors and stringed running lights smothering a Chriatmas tree. Of course Wrestlemania is for the supporting (and paying) fans, but I think they went too far with this.
Nowadays I'm hearing a lot of feedback that the true spirit of wrestling entertainment is dying as more emphasis and airtime is being given for gimmicks unrelated to the ongoings in the ring. The sing-and-dance choice for the "match of the night" underscored that idea. Forgive the nostalgia, but this made me yearn for the good-old days of Austin's shatter-glass entrance, Undertaker's hooded entourage, Shawn's impressive flight, and even Triple H's 'Kings' theme. There's a positive side to this, though- the entrances for this event left so much room for improvement.
The Match
The rivals started off by facing each other, taunting each other nonverbally. It's amazing enough to have two of these superstars in one ring, and both of them, knowingly cashing in on that, acted smart. These two popular entertainers showed the world again that they have the skill to thrill the crowd, and the fans- cheering 'Rocky' or 'Cena'- responded accordingly as they fed on the suspense.
After a while of holding back, they started off. They took turns giving each other a taste of their in-ring moves. From here I had a foreboding feeling that this would not be as action-packed as expected. Or perhaps it's just the warm-up...
According to the commentators, The Rock has an injury in the midsection, and so Cena kept crushing him with both arms around his chest. This went on for a while, and the unchallenging and repetitive move made me sleepy. Come on, where's the action?!
And later there was a moment at the top of the turn buckle (not believable)...the submission holds (yawn, bad acting)...the FU, and then the People's Elbow, which had everone screaming. I particularly enjoyed that part, because it's classic. Cena's special moves also had me watching closely. I was laughing when the Rock waved his open right hand in a mocking imitation of Cena's trademark "you can't see me" taunt, right before it backfired as Cena countered it with a fist to his face.
But that's about it. Everything else aside from their special moves just made me raise my eyebrow and pretend that I can't see the match that was going down...in rating. Cliche, cliche, cliche.
The Finale
And just when I thought that the match would go agonizingly longer, Cena finds a moment to make a mockery of the People's elbow as he takes off his green Cenation arm band and tosses it to the crowd. And just as he was hitting the ropes for the phenomenal elbow drop, The Rock quickly gets up, grabs him, and nails him down in a solid Rock Bottom...and the pinfall...1,2,3. The end.
My Analysis
Many people had claimed that this was a match worth watching. My favorite superstar HBK had even remarked that this matchup was a rarity, thus the high anticipation. Everyone had thought they'd finally see these two very charismatic icons put up the best show ever.
I agree that both Cena and The Rock are two of the most popular superstars in the business. It follows that they are also two of the most marketable guys in this season. But as their match has already proved it, they are certainly not the best in-ring performers in this era. With a considerably good record of matches, The Rock is capable of putting up a more impressive match than this. So what happened? Has he gone soft? Has he developed the star complex and now refuses to work on strategial action-packed matches with other superstars, whom he now considers subordinate to him? I am hoping that this is not the case. I am a fan of the eyebrow-raising, pie-eating actor with the undeniable appeal of an action star in and out of the ring. I dare him to prove me wrong in this supposition.
And what of John Cena? I strongly agree with the Cenation that he is cool, creative, and...Cenatic. He has his own brand- no, wait- he IS his own brand. Yet I think he needs to improve on his techniques in the ring and create more over-the-top matches if he wants to be the total package. Some fans have accepted that he's not gonna improve because he's just naturally too buff and bulky to be doing throwing, tumbling, and high-flying moves. But his life story (like The Rock's) tells of a man doing more than what is expected of him to have his dreams. Well if he was willing to go the distance to reach his current level of success, he might as well step up his game- and fast.
My Verdict
Nevertheless, as a fan, I was disappointed. I was expecting a lot of action this time from both of them, but for me, they failed to deliver. The wait was not worth it. I wish the bookers just put HHH and Undertaker last in the roster as the main event. That would have been more fitting as a Wrestlemania main event. (Rating: 6/10)
Predictions and Future Thoughts
Initially I thought that the victory would be given to Cena, since his fan base is younger compared to that of the Rock. But the location turned out to be a more crucial factor in that decision. The Rock was billed from Miami early in his career, so I guess the corporate side of the company found it appropriate to make him the winner of the matchup.
And the way Cena had handled it (he was talking to the fans through the video recording during his entrance to the ring, which I think is kinda breaking kayfabe as he was not focusing on this rivalry with his opponent), perhaps he found it...unacceptable, and just went through the motions to the end of the 30-minute show. Or was he just really not in his performance mood that night and just trashed it for both of them?
And on to the future... What of these two now? I read somewhere that The Rock might not be showing up for a long time again due to his hectic taping schedule. I hope not. His victory would be futile if so. In common sense, victory should be given to the player who deserves to be built up as a face in the company. In my opinion, the company might be able to make better storylines (and cash) if they gave Cena the victory...that is, if The Rock really plans on making his next movies anyway. Defeating The Rock would have given Cena a good boost.
But then again, maybe the creative team has got better ideas in store for future storylines. I had predicted that Lesnar would be the one to pick up where the Rock may leave off...and I am sensing that maybe, just maybe... it can work in their favor.